September 25th, 2017

South Kordofan and Blue Nile Humanitarian Update – Produced by SKBN CU

The text below is a summary of the report by the South Kordofan and Blue Nile Coordination Unit, which can be downloaded below.

Sudan and South Sudan (Operation Broken Silence)

Overview:

The humanitarian situation in the Nuba Mountains (South Kordofan) and Blue Nile state is deteriorating. A combination of flooding and fighting between the factions of the SPLM-N has displaced thousands and worsened the availability of food.

Though the average rainfall for South Kordofan and Blue Nile increased from 2016, rain was sporadic during the growing season and floods have destroyed or damaged some crops. This has resulted in a 39% stunting rate in South Kordofan, with a severe stunting rate of 14.7%. In Blue Nile, 39% of households, or 11% of the population, are severely food insecure.

There are also fears of an outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) in Blue Nile state. This is an immediate concern due to the severe lack of clinics and medical supplies needed to deal with an outbreak in the area. In South Kordofan, people suffer from AWD, Malaria, and skin and eye infections. Compounding the effects of these illnesses is the lack of education, leading to communities seeing certain health complications as normal.

The ongoing conflict between the factions of the SPLM-N is exacerbating conditions. Fighting removes one of the coping mechanisms of the food shortages by impeding access to refugee camps. It has also displaced thousands of people and is making medical clinics more scarce and harder to reach. There are also reports of human rights violations such as the killing of civilians and aid workers, including two children.